Two cult skin tints enter, one leaves with the crown.
8.5
KADS SCORE
Quick Take
Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer ($41) delivers a gorgeous radiant blur, but Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 ($48) does more: light coverage, real skincare ingredients, and mineral SPF 40 in one step. For most faces, Ilia is the smarter single product.
Loves
- Ilia: mineral SPF 40 replaces a separate sunscreen step
- Ilia: 30 shades with skincare actives like niacinamide and squalane
- Ilia: lightweight serum texture melts in without pilling
- Rare Beauty: radiant blurred finish flatters dry and dull skin
- Rare Beauty: $41 price and 24 flexible shades, Sephora exclusive
Not For
- Rare Beauty: only 24 shades versus Ilia's 30
- Rare Beauty: no SPF, so sunscreen is still mandatory
- Ilia: costs $7 more for the same one ounce size
- Ilia: dewy finish can look shiny on very oily skin by afternoon
The Details
Full Review
Quality
How they compare: build and design. Both come in sleek one ounce pump bottles that dispense cleanly, and both formulas feel like skincare first. Ilia’s serum texture is thinner and layers invisibly, while Rare Beauty’s cream gel gives a touch more coverage and glow. Packaging quality is a wash; formula sophistication goes to Ilia.
Value
Price comparison. Rare Beauty costs $41 and Ilia costs $48, a $7 gap that Ilia justifies by folding in mineral SPF 40 plus hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide. If you already own a sunscreen you love, Rare Beauty saves money. If you want to skip a step every morning, Ilia’s premium pays for itself in convenience.
You’ll Love It If
Anyone who wants light coverage plus sun protection in a single morning step should buy Ilia.
Skip It If
Shoppers who already layer a favorite SPF and just want an affordable radiant tint can happily save $7 with Rare Beauty.
FINAL VERDICT
Winner: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40. It matches Rare Beauty on wear and finish, then adds sun protection and skincare actives that Rare Beauty simply does not offer. Rare Beauty remains a lovely pick for dry skin on a budget, but Ilia is the better all in one.
8.5 / 10
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